Russian President Putin wants to restore full ties with Turkey
Turkey and Russia on Monday signed a deal to build a gas pipeline from Russia as the two countries pressed ahead with efforts to normalize ties.
"Turkish Stream" project
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan watched as their countries' energy ministers sealed an intergovernmental agreement for the "Turkish Stream" project that would bring gas from Russia to Turkey. It would then be distributed to European Union nations. Mr. Putin also announced that Russia had agreed to a natural gas discount to Turkey.
Russia removes restrictions on the import of vegetables
In other steps aimed at restoring ties, Russia would resume importing fruit, vegetables and other agricultural goods from the country. Russia expects a price decrease after the Turkish goods enter the market. For Turkey this is, naturally, entry to the Russian market.
Cooperation in space and nuclear technologies
The two countries would intensify defense contacts and also look into cooperation in space technologies. Russia is building Turkey's first nuclear power plant, and Erdogan said the sides agreed to accelerate the project.
Cultural cooperation
Turkey put forward an initiative to hold mutual years of culture and tourism in Russia and Turkey. Russia fully supported this proposal.
"I am convinced that the process of normalization of our ties will continue rapidly," Erdogan told reporters during a joint news conference. "Our relations will (improve) in many fields, be it in defense industry, political, economic, trade, tourism or culture." Putin agreed to continue working on the complete normalization of Turkey-Russia relations.
